Can-straightening machine.



J. l. KIRKBY. CAN STRAIGHTENJNG MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 1B 1914- Pa'tented J 11116 12, 1917.

q/vmamo J. 1. KIRKBY CAN STRAIGHTENING MACHINE. APPUCATION FILED SEPT-18,1914.

Patented June 12, 191? 2 8HEET5 =HEET 2:

QZ JT i/ g2:

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

TAOQUES 1x13335201 cmnma, new some CAN-'STBAIGHMIN'G uacnnm.

a t V. l Toallwhom it'may-Lconcem: I r it known that I', Jacques ALKmxat, a citizen =0! the United States, residing at' Clymer, in thecount of Chautauqua an State of New York, ve invented certain new and useful Improvements in- Can: Straightening Machines; of which the-fol. lowingis aspecification. a

This invention relates to machines for straightening bent or; dented cans formed of tin, or other metal containers and has particular reference to machines oi this type v adapted to use comp air as t e straightening means.

As a rincipal object, it is contemplated V by this invention to rovide a machine of the type described ich shall-be adapted to work 11' cans ofvarious-sizes and she and in which the can" shall be readily 2 positioned when it is to bestraightene'd or removed .with equal neadiness, after; such gg so A- rtherobject', and one of equal m rtanc'e with'the foregoin is to e a machineof this t w ich' she be constructed with she regard tovproportion, mnnber andarranglemen't of parts as to be Fapable ofbeing' c eaply manufactured, as 'to occupy the minimum amountof space and as to be durable and eflicient in opera: tion. The above and additional objectswhich will become apparent as this ex lanatory description proceeds are accomp mined by such means as areillustrated in theaccomv anying drawingsr described in the followin specification" andthen more 'part1cularl pointed out in the claims which are appen 5 ed heretoandform apart of this applica' tionr a- 7 =1 3 With reference to the drawings; wherein there is 'illustrated thepreferredembodi- 'ment of this invention as it is reducedto.

, practice and throughoutthe several views; "of like .characters-jof reference designatisimilar 'parts:- f; Figure 1 is a front elevation of the ma chine*as; awhole, y-

l ig.-2-' isga plan viewoiithe-same; ans a vertkiiltl sectional ig l ewt1 1' thereth r hat rigt 'ang esito 1g, an iiiifa horiaontall section throughthe machine. and 'partieulartthrough the can basket?" taken com stein 21 having its lendsthreaded to receive respectively an adjusting washer 22, and

head 23 which is cylindrically recessed l t sq gand'thebasket top'12 surnoundmg the stem a 21.and theh s 13 Patented June 12, 19.11.

vention as illustrated; the com ressed air' chamber 5 which is tially 'a' ollow cylmachine. arts are securable. The'u per ortion o the'cylinderis removably c osed y a plug 7 threaded there'into and apertured at B to receive the stem of a ressure gage 9 suitably carried thereby unset-- ing at the upper aiid lower ortions of the air chamber 5 are we the inlet and dram pipes 10 "and 11 there org-the former of wlnch 1s of course a'lead from a suitable ressor (not shown p can basket 'whic forms a most importantpart of this; invention, consists of a top '12 formed with the central boss-or enlarge nent 13 and a 14 similarly formed with a.boss 15, said top and bottom being connected by \an intermediate portion 16 formed integrally therewith..; Both the top and bottom portions of the can baskt are formed with the respective pairs of letcr'alintegral ear sfl'l and .18 in which are is desired to cha' the nosition of the basket to suit the operator, it being evident that the pipe 37 leading to the bottom of. the can has ct may; if-desired, be a flexible he boss-13 of the can basket top 12 is vertically-apertured'to slidably' receive a e reoeiv'e'a resilient washer 24, preferably gi rubber, and also as at 25 in order to receive an end of the can to be straightened,- the latter being positioned as shown b the dotted lines at 26 of Fi 3 against tlie waislier24f; A'suitabl resi ient means such as'the expansible -c led spring 27 is dibetween the adjusting washer 22 1 'Qrdertononnally hold th'e undersideoithei th lhead e k s-f a. .Q thespnn'si mj one such lever being enlarged adjacent its free -is preferably of leather extremityand provided with a cut out oriion forming a yoke 31 whichis-adasg to loosely embrace the adjusting "wa and to be supported thereby. To operate this lever 28 a foot pedal 32 is pivoted as at 33 to suitable cars formed forwardly upon the base 6, and a suitable link which may be a wire rod, rope'or cable 34 connects the lever and pedal in such manner that depression of the latter will result 'in a similar movement of the former. As illustrated more particularly in Figs. 3 and 4, the back 13 of the can basket is so arcuately formed or channeled vertically as to provide a passageway 35 for the movement of the link 34. The bottom 14 oi. the can basket is formed with the vertical air inlet 36 connecting with the enlargement 15 in which is remow ably seated the conducting pipe 37 communicating at its other end with the interior of the air chamber 5. Intermediate the ends of the pipe 37 ispositioned an air cook or three-way valve 38' of any usual construction and having movement's-to be hereinafter more fully described. "A 'seat 39 which or a similar material is rem'o'vably secured to the basket bottom 14 andcentrally apertured to communicate with the-air duct 36. Enlargements' lO are formed at the juncture" ofthe back 16 with the basket bottom being arcuately disposed to' more readily position a can seated on the latter and also being provided with suitable adjusting screws 41 whereby the can may be centered upon the cushion 39 directly over theaperture 36.

In operation, it will be understood that the can or oth;--- metal container to be straightened is placed upon the can basket bottomhl i' and centered thereon by the screws 4T.=T-he foot pedal 32 is then depressed by the operator and efiects a gripping of' the can top by the slidable head 23 against the tension of the spring27. The air cock 38 is then manipulated to admit air from the chamber 5 to the passageway- 36 formed in the basket bottom and accordingly to the interior of the can'in which the tendency of the compressed air to equalize its pressure upon the :walls of the can will result in an immediate efiacement of the bend or dent which it was desired to straighten out of the metal container .thus operated upon.

To remove. the can, the valve 38 is "set in its second position inwhich'air from the chamber 5 is out ofi and the 'air used in the can exhausted into the surrounding atmospherefliie footpedal 32 is released so that the spring 27 may return the lever 28 per-v mitting a disengagement of the slidable head thus been -illustrated .tegral top, bottom lmana with the can top so that the straightened v nay be displaced from'the basket in -,ma

room for anothr. Whi e..in the jforegoing however, there has in the drawings and described in ithe specification such combination and-arrangement of elements as ,ponstitute the preterred embodiment ofthis inven tron, it'is desired to emphasize the fact that suchminorfchanges in the matters of proportion and He e may be made in later adaptations. of t is device as shall not alter the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is 1. A can straightening machine including an air cylinder, a can basket including an integral top, bottom and connecting portion, said portion being shaped to fit the cylinder, means for attaching the top and bottom of said basket'to said cylinder, means slidable through the top to grip the can, independently operable means to center the can upon the bottom, air conducting means between said basket and the cylinder, and multiple way control means interposed on said air conducting means.

2. A can straightening machine including an air cylinder, :1 can basket having an integral top, bottom and intermediate portion, said portion being shaped to fit the cylinder, means removably securing said basket top and bottom to the cylinder, means resiliently operable through said top to rip the can, means controlling operation of first said means, and air conducting means connecting said basket with said cylinder.

3. A can straightening machine including an air cylinder, a can basket having an inand intermediate portion, said portion being shaped to fit the cylinder, means removably securing said basket top and bottom to the cylinder, means resiliently operable through said top to ip the can, means controlling operation of rst said means, means for adjusting the operation of first said means by said control. means, and air conducting means connecting said basket with the cylinder.

4. A can straightening machine including an air cylinder, a can basket having an in-,- tegral top, bottom and intermediate portion, said intermediate portion being shaped-to fit the cylinder and providing a longitudinal passageway therebetween andthe basket,

earsformed on said basket'top and bottom, yokes removablyconnecting with said ears to support the basket upon its cylinder, mcans operable through the top of the has ket to grip acan therein, foot control means for first said means, and a connection between "said foot control and the first said. means adapted to utilize the passageway between said basket and the cylinder.

5. A can straightening machine including an air cylinder, ,a can basket having an integraltop, bottom and intermediate portion, sald intermediate portion being shaped to fit the cylinder and providing a 1ongitudi-, nal. passageway thereb'etween and the basket, ears formed on said basket top and bottom, yokes removably connecting with said ears to support the basket upon its cylinder, an enlargement formed on the intermediate portion-of said basket at the juncture with said bottom, centering means projecting throu hi said enlargements, means resiliently Opera 1e through said to to ip the can, and control connections or end resiliently is operable means adapted to pass through the passage provided between said basket andthe'cylinder. 6. A can straightening machine including acylinderformlng an air chamber, a can basket removably positioned on said cylinder, and including an integral top, bottom and intermediate portion, means formed adjacent said latter two portions for adjustably positioning cans. in' said basket, means 5 conducting air from, said chamber through said. bottom, means controlling the passage of air, and means. resiliently controlled to a slide through said to in further positioning the cans in said' ket."

7.A, can straightening machine including a cylinder-forming an air chamber-,3. can basket removably positioned on said cylinder and includingan integral top, bottom and-intermediate portion, means formed adjacent said latter two portions for adjustably positioning cans I in said basket with respect to said b0tto1n,'means conducting air from said chamber to said bottom, means controlling the passage of air, a head slidably mounted insaidtop, and means 'for adj usting movement of said head .to permit it to grip cans of difl'erent sizes,

8. A can straightening machine including a cylinder forming an air chamber, an upper 'closureJorsaid cylinder, a base for said cylinder, a lover pivoted to said closure, a foot pedal pivoted to said base, acan bas-' ket removably positioned on said cylinder, a can topgripping .head slidable within said basket, admstingmeans to control the normal position of said head, means yieldably supporting said'head in'said normal position, and connections between said pedal and said lever so thatactuation of the for-. mer will move said head from its normal position iii-gripping cans of various sizes,, as adjusted. i v a 9. A canstraightening machine including cylinder formln an air. chamber, an up-' per closure for sai cylinder, a base for said cylinder, a'lever pivotedtosaid closure,afoot pedal pivoted to said base, connections bea tween said pedal and said lever, a can hasket, yokes removably positioning said bas 65 ket on said cylinder, an, apertured .through said bottom, air tig lil'.

multiple control between sai and air con ucti gto support the cans to be str htened, a

for said basket, means conducting air fromsaid chamber through said bottom means adjacent said bottom for adjustably positioning cans laterally with respectto said he tom, an apertured top for said basket, a 7 can top gripping head slidable through said basket top, means yieldably supporting said head to permit of the insertion into orvremoval from said basket of cans, means for I actuating said head by said pedal and lever, and means adjustin 'said head longitudinally for cans of di erent lengths.

10. A can straightening machine including a cylinder formingan air chamber, a a can basket removably positioned on said cylso inder and including a fixed top, bottom and intermediate portion, a stem slidable through said ;top a head carried by said stem to extend low said top f resilient means normally supporting said head in as contact with said top, a inlet stem linings carried bysaid head and bottom and a valved said inlet:

ing 7 a cylinder forming an 'air a can basket removably' postioned on sai cylinder and including an integral, top-bot--- tom and intermediate ortion, the latter as arching away from sai' cylinder, a slidable throu h said top, a and carried by sai stem, air t1 ht lining meanav for said head and said ottom, resilient means normally supporting said head, ad-' justing means for said resilient means, afle= ver pivoted to contact with said adjusting" means, air inlet means for and bottom, a valvedmultiple control interposed on said air inlet between said chamber, said basket I and the atmosphere, centering means for said basket bottom, and -a manuall operable lever to actuate the first slid ever in moving said head against the tensionof said resilient means. I a

12, A can straightening machine including an air cylinder, a canbasket' removabl sitioned thereu on, a bottom for sai asket to support t e cans to be straightened, a to for said basket, a rod operable through 116 sai top, a gripping head carried by Said rod, meansmovable u on said rod forad- I justing the osition o said [gripping head means lea ing from sai 1 cylinder through said basket bottom. 13. A can straightening machine including an air cylinder, acan' basket removably o- 7 sitioned thereupon, a bottomfor said has et top for said basket, a rod operab e th 126 sa d to 'agrip. in head carriedb rod, me iilnsmova ble u 11 said rod 'fbmf 'ustin t epositiono sai p iiir,cogducti1?meansleadinggf 1 oi said cyl: thro g.

d chamber and v *?111 A can straighteningmachine includ said basket bottom, and muL 'iao' 1 air con ucting means to control the admistipleewa control means interposed on said sion of air into said basket or the exhaust therefrom into the atmosphere..- I 14. A can straightening machine including a pressure cylinder, a can basket re movably positioned thereupon, an a ertured tral boss,

also formed with a boss, a-rod slidable through said top, a gripping head for the cans to be straightened carried by said rod, resilient means normallyi forcing release of said head from said cans air conducting means extending from said cylinder through said apertured bottom, and multiple-way control means interposed on said air conducting means to control the admission of air into-said basket or theexhaust therefrom into the atmo here.

16. A can straightening mac ine includ-' ing a pressure cylinder, a can basket removably positioned upon said cylinder, an apertured bottom for said basket formed with a central boss, an apertured top for said basket formedwith a similar boss,

' throu h second said'boss, agripping head carrie by said rod, resilient means surrounding said rod to normally preventcontact of said head with cans supported by said basket, means adjustableupon said rod and in contact with said resilient means to determine the position of "said head, and air a conducting means leading .from said cylinder through said bottom boss ,to furnish the straightening fiuid for-said earn.

17. A can straightening machine includ-, ing a pressure cylinder, a can basket rmov-' b y positioned upon said c linder, an apertured bottom for said has at formed with a central boss, an apertured top for said basket formed with a similar boss, a rod slid:

able through second, said boss, a gripping head carried by said rod, resilientme'ans surrounding saidrod to normally prevent contactof said head with cans supported by said basket, means adjustable uponsaid rod and in contact with said resilient means to determine the position of said head, air conducting means leading from said cylinder through said bottom boss, and a. multipleway control means for manual operation n admitting the fluid of pressure mto said an apertured'top for said basket I bans to a rod slidable basket or the exhaust therefrom into the atmosphere. v

18. A can straightening machine includ= ing an air cylinder, a can basket removably positioned thereupon, a bottom for said haset to support the cans to be straightened, an air tight lining secured to said bottom, centering enlargements adjacent said bottom for positionin said can upon said linmg, a top for sai basket, means operable through saidtop to grip the can, means ad 1usting said gripping means, and air conduct means leading from said cylinder throng said basket bottom and lining.

19. A can straightening machine including an air cylinder, acan basket 'removably positioned thereupon, a bottom for said hasetto support the cans to be straightened, an air tight lining secured to said bottom, centering enlargements adjacent said bottom for positioning said can upon said lining, a top for said basket, means operable through said top to grip the can, means adjusting saidgripping means, air'conductin means between said cylinder and saidhas et, and multiple-way control means interposed on last said means to govern the admission of air into said basket or the exhaust therefrom into the atmosphere.

20. A can straightening machine including a pressure cylinder, a sin basket removab y positioned thereupon, an apertured bottom for said basket, an apertured top for said basket, a rod slidable through said top, a'centrally recessed gripping head for the be straightened carried by said rod, air-tight lining'means inset into saidgrec'essed head, resilient means normally forcing the release of said head from said cans, and air conducting means between said cyl inder and said apertured bottom.

v 21. 'A can straightening machine includ ing a pressure cylinder, a can basket removab y has st or the exhaust therefrom into the atmosphere.

22. A can straightening machine memeing a pressure cylinder, a can basket removab y positioned upon said cylinder, an apertured bottom for said basket an apertured top for said basket, 9. rod shdable through saidtop, acentrally recessed carried by said rod, an air-tig t lining inset into said gripping head, a similar lining caripping head ried by said bottom and apertured to register earned by said rod, an air-tight lining inset into said gripping head, a similar-lining carried by said bottom and apertured to regis- ,ter with'said bottom, means for settingsaid top upon a can to position the same in said a atmosphere 25 basket, meansfor centering said can upon said bottom, air conducting means between saidv cylinder and said bottom, and multipleway control means interposed on last said means to control the'admission of air into. said basket or the exhaust therefrom into-the 24:: A can straightening machine 'includ in%'a pressu'recylinder, a can basket remov ab y positioned upon said cylinder, an apertured bottom for said basket, an apertured 'toptl' ilrefor', an intermediate portion connectin said bottom and top, a rod slidable th'roug said top, a recessed gripping head carried by said rod, means normally maina tainin said head in contact with said basket I V top, a ever pivoted to said cylinder and controlling movement of said head against the action of said resilient means, a base for said Copies of this patent my be obtained tor cylinder, a foot lever pivoted to said base, connections between the intermediate portions of both levers, meansrearried by said v bottom and intermediate basket ortlon to ing means between said cylinder and said bottom.

25. A can straightening machine includin% a pressure cylinder, a can basket removab y. positioned upon said cylinder, an apertured bottom for said basket, an apertured top therefor, an intermediate portion con-- center a can in said basket,- and air-conductneeting said bottom and top,'a rod slidabile V through said top, a recessed gripping hed'd carried by said rod, means normally main.-

tainin said head in contact 'with said basket top, a ver pivoted to said cylinder and con trolling movement of said head against the action of said resilient mearisfa base for said cylinder, a. foot lever pivoted to said base, connections between the intermediate portions of both levers, means carried b said bottom and intermediate basket portlon to center'a can in said basket, air conducting means betweensaid cylinder and said bottom, and a manually operable valve lever interposed on said air conducting means to.

control the admjssionand exhaust of air into and from's ai'd basket. a

In testimon whereof I aflix my signature in presence, 0 two witnesses.

JACQUES J1 KIRKBir.

Witn': V

WIL AM C. EARL, J Aims Wassmn;

ave cents each, by addressing the flcmmisslonertt Eaten, Washington, D. 0. 

